Fayetteville mom charged with starving daughter to death

FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville woman accused of starving her physically and mentally challenged daughter to death made her first court appearance Tuesday at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

Bertha Brewington Melvin, 68, of the 1600 block of Flintshire Road, is charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a disabled person in the February death of Tial La’Chelle Melvin, 22.

The elder Melvin is charged with an additional count of abuse of a disabled person related to Edna Melvin, 28, who is mentally challenged.

Melvin adopted both girls when they were about 1½ years old and was their sole caregiver, according to arrest documents.

Emergency responders were called to Melvin’s home Feb. 2 for Tial Melvin, who was unresponsive. She was pronounced dead, documents said.

An autopsy determined that Tial, who had the mental capacity of a 6-year-old, died from starvation and hypothermia, and weighed 50 pounds.

Responders found Edna Melvin hiding under blankets in the same room and took her to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where medical personnel found her heart rate was less than 60 beats per minute, her temperature was 78.6 degrees and she was underweight. After 10 days, Edna was released and is now in the care of Cumberland County Adult Protective Services.

“Pictures of the victim are the most egregious I’ve ever seen as it relates to starvation,” District Attorney Billy West said.

Melvin, who is being held without bail, asked for a court-appointed lawyer, West said.

Staff writer Nancy McCleary can be reached at nmccleary@fayobserver.com or 486-3568.

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